Up to four thousand locals, daytrippers and tourists thronged the centre of Bray to watch local hero Katie Taylor set up the chance to box for Olympic gold.

The town's kilometre-long beach on the Irish Sea – normally packed at this time of year with holidaymakers – was near-deserted as everyone packed round two giant screens set up on Main Street to show live footage of Taylor's victory over Tajik boxer Mavzuna Chorieva in her lightweight semi-final.

Irish tricolours and green, white and gold hats, scarves, whistles and plastic hammers were dusted down after Ireland's early exit from the Euro 2012 football championships to celebrate the 26-year-old boxer secure her place in the final – and a guaranteed silver medal.

Guarding over two of her grandchildren in buggies, their faces painted in the colours of the Irish flag, Nuala Kelly said that 15 members of her family were standing around watching the semi-final bout.

She produced a tricolour with Katie Taylor's signature on it: "She is such a down to earth girl, Katie. Before she went to train for the Olympics we asked her to sign our flag and she had no problem doing that.

"She signed kids scarves and little pictures they had made about her. She has time for everyone in Bray. She is a true local hero."

Asked about Thursday's final, Kelly added: "We're bringing ever greater numbers to support Katie. We will be out in force!"

Standing beside her, holding up her grandchild Lucy, Mary Grant said Taylor's achievements in the ring had created an enormous buzz in Bray. "The whole town is so proud about Katie and the fact that she trains in her home town."

Away from the throngs of supporters and well-wishers was the gym overlooking the harbour where Taylor learned to box at the age of 15 and still trains. Its doors remained padlocked on Wednesday, the only signs of life a group of swans and seagulls darting between a mini flotilla of boats bobbing on the water.

Taylor's Olympic exploits are a triumph for one man in particular: her father, Peter, took four years to persuade the Irish boxing authorities to allow women into the ring before she fought her first official bout.

Taylor has since been a trailblazer for women's boxing both in Ireland and around the world. Half of the 60 young fighters who train at her gym every week are female.